Local Partners

Ambition Broxbourne

Ambition Broxbourne is a blueprint on how to boost the economic prospects of residents living in the borough and is set to define its development for the next two decades by bringing together a range of organisations. Co-ordinated and led by Borough of Broxbourne Council, Ambition Broxbourne has a target of generating 6,300 new jobs across the area over the next 16 years.

Thousands of jobs will be created across the borough of Broxbourne by 2030, according to the team behind an exciting project that has been launched to breathe new life into the area.

As part of the initiative, The Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce and the Borough of Broxbourne are working together which will allows the team to better engage with business to bring the plan to fruition.

Local educational institutions are tasked with meeting the current and future needs of the economy and Ambition Broxbourne works closely with organisations such as Hertford Regional College in driving apprenticeship schemes as well as encouraging entrepreneurship among young people.

Dacorum, Look no Further

Dacorum is a thriving community in Hertfordshire, embracing the new town of Hemel Hempstead, the historic market towns of Berkhamsted and Tring and several picturesque villages and rural locations. It includes one of the largest and fastest growing business centres in the UK, the Maylands Business Park, home to a diverse range of organisations from international HQs to small industrial businesses. Dacorum is an ideally located due to its close proximity to Luton and Heathrow Airport and the M1 and M25 motorway networks.

In 2013 Dacorum Borough Council and Herts Chamber joined forces to create a partnership to stimulate business growth in the area, providing high levels of support and access to business expertise to help the business community flourish and support the long term economic development of Dacorum.

Small Business Forum

Part of this initiative is the Small Business Forum a monthly event hosted at the Maylands Business Centre that provides a network of practical support for new and micro businesses in the Dacorum area. This group aims to encourage collaborative working to resolve business issues, provide key support and to share experiences with forum members.

Maylands Business Centre

The Maylands Business Centre is at the heart of the support network available to help local businesses get started. The centre offers virtual office facilities as well as office and light industrial units to start up ventures and also to businesses looking to move into their first commercial premises.

Since it opened in June 2011 the Maylands Business Centre has been instrumental in helping fledgling local businesses flourish. Several have reported growth as a result of moving to the centre, one by as much as 80%, and many have now taken on local residents as employees. The centre serves to 'fast forward' small businesses in their crucial first years, providing support and flexible premises in which to develop and grow.

The Maylands Partnership

The Chamber is a key member of the Maylands Partnership. This group represents the combined interests of over 400 local businesses on the Maylands Industrial Estate and has played a key consultative role in identifying and addressing the needs of businesses in Dacorum. The Partnership, coupled with the Council’s close relationship with the Chamber gives local businesses a direct route into influencing local economic development activity.

The National Apprenticeship Service

The Hertfordshire Chamber offers support and advice to its members who are interested in offering an apprenticeship placement within their business. Employers will benefit from investment in our young people to ensure economic recovery for the long term, and our society will benefit from creating more apprenticeships, as young people are our future innovators and industry leaders.

Apprenticeships offer work-based training designed around the needs of employers, which lead to nationally recognised qualifications, offering a strong alternative to a university education. Apprenticeships give young people the practical experience and skills that pave the way to their chosen career. Taking between 1 to 4 years to complete, depending on the sector and job role, Apprenticeships can either train new or existing employees, who are moving into a new or changed job role and need to learn new skills. Most of the training is on the job, provided directly by the employer, whilst the rest can be provided by a local college or a specialist learning provider. Employers are also responsible for paying your apprentices’ wages.

Apprenticeship funding is available from the National Apprenticeship Service to provide and support apprenticeships. In most cases this will be a learning provider. Large employers with a direct contract with the National Apprenticeship Service may receive the funding themselves.

Employers Guide to Apprenticeship Standards

This guides is for employers that would like to know more about the new apprenticeship standards and the government funding, including additional payments available to them. Download HERE

Find out about the new Trailblazer Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are getting even better! The first of a range of high quality Trailblazer apprenticeships were introduced in 2014. These Trailblazers are designed by employers for employers, to ensure that apprenticeships support businesses to grow and prosper. Find out more HERE